Page 75 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - APRIL 2025

4/18/25, 11:47 AM ALECSO honors Sharjah Ruler with Arab Cultural Merit Award – Jordan Daily
The event began with a speech by ALECSO’s Director-General, who announced the inauguration of
the first edition of Arab Cultural Merit, a prestigious award given to individuals, organisations, or

institutions for outstanding contributions to Arab culture. The award is a high-level recognition of
quality and originality in cultural domains, and it encourages worthwhile efforts to develop

knowledge and cultural services.

Dr Ould Amar spoke about the award, saying, “This award aims to recognise the efforts of

pioneering individuals and institutions that have contributed to presenting Arab culture to the world
with its humanitarian and civilisational depth while enriching the cultural landscape and promoting

Arab identity and knowledge values.” It is natural that the organisation’s first recipient is a
remarkable individual in every human, intellectual, academic, and political sense – a decision that

validates the credibility, validity, and stature of this high-level initiative.”

He went on, “Today we come together—in the name of all intellectuals, creators, artists, thinkers,
writers, and poets—to honour His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme
Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.” We honour this great persona, who stands as a guardian of

culture and knowledge, safeguarding Arab identity and supporting human values. He has tirelessly
worked to present an authentic image of Arab culture as one of peace, dialogue, and harmony.”

Monumental projects and global impact

The Director-General also highlighted His Highness’s key initiatives, including the Historical
Dictionary of the Arabic Language, a modern monumental project and the largest linguistic

endeavour in Arab history; it holds the Guinness World Record for the largest dictionary in human
history.

He also acknowledged His Highness’s financial support for ALECSO, which enabled the ongoing
operations of the Encyclopaedia of Prominent Arab and Muslim Scholars and Writers, a significant

reference book at the Arab and Islamic levels. Other significant initiatives include the Islamic
Cultural Centre in Wolfsburg, Germany, the Azzagra Cultural Centre in Spain, and the establishment

of Quran memorisation and Arabic language schools in several African countries. His Highness also
launched initiatives to strengthen cultural ties across the Arab world, such as the Arab Theatre

Authority, which organises the largest annual gathering of Arab theatre professionals and artists;
the Sharjah Art Foundation; and the Sharjah Academy for Performing Arts, among others.

A conscience of Arab culture

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